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. 2026 Jan 21;65(4):2117–2121. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5c05711

Silane Redistribution Catalyzed by [Mes-B-TMP]+ Borinium Ion

Min-Hsiung Wu 1, Yu-Jiang Lin 1, Bo-An Chen 1, Ching-Wen Chiu 1,*
PMCID: PMC12869485  PMID: 41563893

Abstract

Borinium ions, featuring two empty p orbitals at boron, exhibit exceptional Lewis acidity but often suffer from excessive reactivity that limits their catalytic utility. In this study, we demonstrate that the arylamino borinium ion [1]+ effectively mediates aryl transfer in ArMe2SiH to afford Ar2SiMe2 and Me2SiH2 under mild conditions. The reaction can also be extended to cross-coupling between ArMe2SiH and Et2SiH2/Et3SiH. Computational studies revealed that the amino substituent in [1]+ plays a pivotal role in modulating the Lewis acidity of the boron center, enabling reversible Si–H activation while preventing irreversible B–C bond cleavage and catalyst decomposition. These findings highlight the potential of electronically tuned borinium ions as catalysts for activating inert substrates in organic transformations.

graphic file with name ic5c05711_0007.jpg

Silanes are indispensable reagents in organic synthesis, material science, polymer chemistry, and semiconductor manufacturing. − While organometallic reagents are commonly employed for the construction of Si–C bonds, silane redistribution, a process involving the exchange of substituents between silicon centers, offers an atom-economical route to generate diverse organosilanes (Figure a). , Catalytic silane redistribution was first documented in the mid-19th century, when Friedel and Ladenburg observed the disproportionation of triethoxysilane (SiH­(OEt)3) to silane (SiH4) and tetraethoxysilane (Si­(OEt)4) in the presence of sodium, a process likely mediated by the ethoxide anion. Since then, silane redistribution utilizing alkaline catalysts has been investigated in detail. − Later, acidic metal halides were found to catalyze the redistribution of tetraalkylsilanes at elevated temperature with a catalytic order of Al2X6 > Ga2X6 > FeX3 ≈ BX3, which is consistent with their Lewis acidity as observed in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions. In addition, transition-metal complexes have been shown to promote silane redistribution. ,− However, high reaction temperatures are generally required for these systems. In 2021, our group reported the synthesis of an arylamino borinium ion, [Mes-B-TMP]­[B­(C6F5)4] ([1]­[B­(C6F5)4]), and demonstrated its catalytic activity in hydrosilylation of ketones and aldehydes. , We proposed that the key activation step involves the interaction of [1]+ with the Si–H bond of silane rather than with the carbonyl compounds. This finding prompted us to explore the potential of [1]+ as a Lewis acid catalyst for silane redistribution at ambient temperature (Figure b).

1.

1

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(a) General formula of silane redistribution. (b) [1]+-catalyzed aryl transfer between silanes.

In 2017, Hou and co-workers demonstrated that B­(C6F5)3 (BCF), a prototypical strong boron Lewis acid, can catalyze the C–Si/Si–H cross-metathesis of electron-rich hydrosilanes. This method, however, required harsh conditions (100 °C for 24 h) and was limited to substrates possessing an m-aminoaryl group. Unfunctionalized substrates, such as PhMe2SiH (2a), remained intact even after heating at 100 °C for 24 h. In stark contrast, simply treating a CDCl3 solution of 2a with 10 mol% of [1]­[B­(C6F5)4] at room temperature in a sealed J-Young tube rapidly afforded the redistribution product, Ph2Me2Si (3a) and Me2SiH2 (4), in 43% yield. However, the borinium ion was not effective for Ph2SiH2, Et2SiH2, or Et3SiH (Table S1). The reaction of Ph2SiH2 produced a complex mixture of silanes containing multiple Ph x SiH4‑x (x = 0–4) derivatives, indicating extensive and uncontrolled redistribution. In contrast, Et2SiH2 and Et3SiH remained largely unreacted under identical conditions, and no significant redistribution products were detected. Thus, we decided to focus on the redistribution of aryldimethylsilanes (ArMe2SiH).

To improve the yield and selectivity of the redistribution of 2a, we screened several solvents (Table ). Despite the complete consumption of 2a in CDCl3 or CH2Cl2 upon the addition of [1]+, 3a was obtained only in moderate yields. Analysis of the reaction mixture revealed the formation of chlorosilane byproducts (e.g., PhMe2SiCl), suggesting the participation of the solvent in the reaction. This side reaction is consistent with the generation of silylium ion intermediates through heterolytic cleavage of the Si–H bond. , To suppress chlorosilane formation, the reaction was carried out in aromatic solvents. All aromatic solvents provided comparable results, with chlorobenzene (PhCl) being marginally superior. We noticed that, despite the poor solubility of [1]+ in benzene, the catalytic performance remained comparable to that observed in halobenzene solvents. This observation suggested that the catalyst loading could be reduced without compromising reactivity. Indeed, a comparable yield of 3a was achieved within 20 min using only 1 mol% catalyst. Finally, both conversion and yield were further improved by conducting the reaction in an open vial inside a glovebox to continuously remove the volatile byproduct Me2SiH2 (4), thereby shifting the equilibrium toward the products (Table ). ,

1. Optimization of Silane Redistribution Catalyzed by [1]­[B­(C6F5)4].

graphic file with name ic5c05711_0006.jpg

Entry x Solvent Conversion (%) Yield (%)
1 10 CDCl3 99 43
2 10 CH2Cl2 99 42
3 10 C6D6 60 55
4 10 o-C6D4Cl2 60 58
5 10 C6H5Cl 66 64
6 5 C6H5Cl 65 63
7 1 C6H5Cl 65 62
8 1 C6H5Cl 90 84
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a

Conversion and yield were determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy.

b

The reaction was stirred in an opened vial in glovebox for 1 h.

With the optimal conditions established, we next explored the substrate scope of the reaction across a series of functionalized arylsilanes (Figure ). The ortho-tolyl (2b), para-bromophenyl (2d), biphenyl-4-yl (2e), 2-naphthyl (2i), and 2-thiophenyl (2j) silanes were efficiently converted to the corresponding diaryl­(dimethyl)­silanes in high yields. In contrast, the para-tolyl-substituted silane (2c) afforded 3c in only a moderate yield. Examination of the reaction mixture revealed the presence of a 1:1 ratio of (p-tol)3SiMe (5) and (p-tol)­SiMe3 (6), indicating the occurrence of arene/Me exchange. Indeed, monitoring of the reaction progress by NMR spectroscopy confirmed the rapid generation of 3c in a high yield within the first 5 min (Figure S2). However, the yield of 3c subsequently declined from 80% to 50%, reaching equilibrium at 20 min with the concomitant formation of 5 and 6. The ability of [1]+ to activate the Si–Me bond of 3c was further confirmed by the formation of 5 and 6 (11% each) from 3c in the presence of 1 mol% of [1]+ (Figure S3). Unfortunately, the reaction was not applicable to substrates bearing trifluoromethyl (2f), dimethylamino (2g), or methoxy (2h) substituents. For 2g, catalyst inhibition via base coordination was observed, whereas activation of the CF3 group in 2f led to the formation of a fluorosilane mixture (Figures S4–S6). In the case of 2h, polymerization via a Piers–Rubinsztajn-type reaction, accompanied by methane evolution and Si–O bond formation, was observed (Figure S7). ,

2.

2

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Catalytic redistribution of 2a–j to afford 3a–j. aYield is based on 0.5 equiv of substrate and determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. bConversion of 2a–j is determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. cByproducts 5 and 6 were observed. dDefluorination was observed. eCatalyst was coordinated by aniline. fPiers–Rubinsztajn reaction was observed.

After completing the homometathesis study of aryl­dimethyl­silanes, we next examined whether cross-coupling reactions between two different arylsilanes could be achieved (Table S2). Treating an equimolar mixture of 2a and 2d with 1 mol% [1]+ afforded a mixture containing 3a, (4-Br-C6H4)­PhMe2Si (7d), and 3d in 17%, 15%, and 1% NMR yield, respectively. Increasing the catalyst loading to 3 mol% markedly improved the yield of the cross-coupling product 7d to 54%. Attempts to enhance cross-coupling by increasing the steric bulk of the aryl group were unsuccessful. The reaction of 2a and 2b resulted in the formation of (o-tolyl)­PhMe2Si (7b) in at most 36% yield. Notably, when 2a was reacted with the more electron-donating thiophenylsilane (2j), the cross-coupling product (2-thio­phenyl)­PhMe2Si (7j) was formed in a 74% yield. In all cases, however, substantial amounts of homocoupling products were also obtained, due to the comparable donating abilities of the aryldimethylsilane substrates. Since tuning the electron density of the aryl ring through CF3, OMe, or NMe2 substitution was not feasible, we next explored the cross-coupling reactions of aryldimethylsilanes with Et2SiH2 and Et3SiH.

To our delight, the cross-coupling products 8 and 9 were obtained in high yields by mixing aryldimethylsilanes with alkylsilanes in the presence of 1 mol% of [1]+ at room temperature (Figure ). The reaction of 2a with 4 equiv of Et2SiH2 afforded the cross-coupling product 8a in 73% yield, whereas mixing 2a and 2 equiv of Et3SiH gave 9a in 90% yield. Because compound 8, ArEt2SiH, can undergo further aryl transfer reaction in the presence of a borinium ion catalyst, a higher loading of Et2SiH2 was essential to suppress secondary transformation. The reaction was successfully extended to other combinations of silanes, furnishing the corresponding cross-coupling products in high yields, including 2-tolyl­diethyl­silane (8b), 4-tolyl­diethyl­silane (8c), 4-bromo­phenyl­diethyl­silane (8d), biphenyl-4‑yl­diethyl­silane (8e), biphenyl-4‑yl­triethyl­silane (9e), 2-naphthyl­diethyl­silane (8i), 2-naphthyl­triethyl­silane (9i), 2-thio­phenyl­diethyl­silane (8j), and 2-thio­phenyl­triethyl­silane (9j).

3.

3

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Cross-coupling of 2 with Et2SiH2 or Et3SiH. aYields were determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy. bThe reaction time was prolonged to 12 h.

To gain deeper insight into the aryl amino borinium-mediated aryl transfer process, we examined the redistribution reaction of PhMe2SiH computationally. Three potential reaction pathways between PhMe2SiH and [1]+ were identified, and all were found to be endergonic (Figure a). Compared to the Si–H addition across the B–N and B–C bonds, the formation of a silane-borinium σ-complex represents the most feasible initial interaction for [1]+ with an energy barrier of 13.58 kcal/mol. , To elucidate the influence of the amino substituent at boron, we also evaluated the corresponding processes for the more Lewis acidic all-carbon-substituted borinium ion [Mes2B]+ (Figure b). , Both the 1,2-addition pathway and the σ-complex formation at [Mes2B]+ were found to be exergonic with noticeably lower activation barriers, which are consistent with the higher intrinsic Lewis acidity of [Mes2B]+. However, the increased reactivity of [Mes2B]+ toward B–C bond cleavage, plausibly happening after the Si–H activation, would destroy the borinium scaffold and prevent catalytic turnover. This prediction aligns with experimental observations: while [1]+ serves as an efficient catalyst for silane redistribution, [Mes2B]+ decomposes upon addition of silane (Table S4). The amine substituent in [1]+ plays a key role in modulating the Lewis acidity of the boron center, thereby enabling reversible Si–H activation.

4.

4

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Calculated activation modes of PhMe2SiH by (a) [1]+ and (b) [Mes2B]+.

A proposed reaction mechanism and the calculated potential energy surface for the [1]+ catalyzed redistribution of PhMe2SiH is shown in Figure . The initial step is the formation of a silane-borinium σ-complex (Int-1) as discussed above. The second step involves nucleophilic attack by the phenyl group of a second PhMe2SiH molecule on the silicon atom of Int-1, inducing heterolytic Si–H cleavage to generate the phenyl-bridged disilicon cation (Int-2) and hydridoborane (1-H). Subsequent reverse hydride transfer from 1-H to the less sterically hindered silicon center of Int-2 yields Ph2SiMe2 and the Me2SiH2-borinium σ-complex (Int-3). The calculated energy differences among Int-1, Int-2 + 1-H, and Int-3 are small, and the highest barrier in this sequence is only 14.71 kcal/mol, indicating that these species exist in a rapid and reversible equilibrium. Therefore, removal of the volatile Me2SiH2 is essential to drive the reaction toward completion. Additionally, the calculated overall energy barrier of the reaction is 25.43 kcal/mol, which is consistent with our experimental results. The calculated reaction mechanism is comparable to the BCF-mediated aryl transfer reaction proposed by Hou’s group.

5.

5

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Proposed reaction mechanism of the [1]+-catalyzed redistribution of PhMe2SiH.

In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the arylamino borinium ion [1]+ is an effective catalyst for the redistribution of unfunctionalized ArMe2SiH, affording Ar2SiMe2 and Me2SiH2 at ambient temperature. The aryl transfer process between silanes can be extended to diethyl- and triethylsilanes, providing the corresponding cross-coupling products in high yields. Theoretical calculations reveal that the amino substituent in the borinium ion is essential for achieving reversible Si–H activation while preventing catalyst decomposition. Overall, this study not only demonstrates the capacity of borinium ions to active inert substrates but also highlights the critical role of the borinium substituent in determining catalyst performance.

Supplementary Material

ic5c05711_si_001.pdf (5.2MB, pdf)
ic5c05711_si_002.xyz (90.4KB, xyz)

The Supporting Information is available free of charge at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.5c05711.

  • Synthesis and characterization of silane substrates and redistribution products, and computational details (PDF)

  • Optimized geometries (XYZ)

The manuscript was written through contributions of all authors. All authors have given approval to the final version of the manuscript.

This study is supported by National Science and Technology Council of Taiwan (NSTC113-2113-M-002-015-MY3) and National Taiwan University (NTU-CC-114L892401). Computational resources are supported by the National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC) of Taiwan.

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Published as part of Inorganic Chemistry special issue “Current Advancements in Main Group Chemistry”.

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Associated Data

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Supplementary Materials

ic5c05711_si_001.pdf (5.2MB, pdf)
ic5c05711_si_002.xyz (90.4KB, xyz)

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